Multitouch Chording Language

1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to control the operation of a plurality of auxiliary components within a vehicle, by performing the steps of: receiving, via a first touch sensing surface, a first input gesture; translating, based on a mode map, the first input gesture into a selection of a first mode corresponding to a first auxiliary component included in the plurality of auxiliary components, wherein the mode map provides a translation of input gestures into different modes, and each mode corresponds to a different auxiliary component included in the plurality of auxiliary components; in response, identifying a first command map associated with the first mode and corresponding to the first auxiliary component, wherein the first command map provides a translation of input gestures into different commands that control the operation of the first auxiliary component; receiving, via a second touch sensing surface, a second input gesture; translating, in accordance with the first command map, the second input gesture into a first command that relates to the operation of the first auxiliary component; and causing the first command to be transmitted to the first auxiliary component.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the mode map indicates, for each different input gesture in a first set of input gestures, a different auxiliary component in the plurality of auxiliary components.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the first command map includes commands specific to the first auxiliary component included in the plurality of auxiliary components, and wherein the first command map comprises a command sub-map that is identified within a command map that includes a plurality of command sub-maps, each different command sub-map in the plurality of command sub-maps including commands specific to a different auxiliary component included in the plurality of auxiliary components.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the second input gesture is received at substantially the same time as the first input gesture.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining that the time between when first input gesture is received and when the second input gesture input is received falls within a preset time interval.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein both the first touch sensing surface and the second touch sensing surface are coupled to a steering wheel that resides within the vehicle.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein each of the first input gesture and the second input gesture comprises a single or multi-finger tap gesture, tap-and-hold gesture, or swipe gesture.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of auxiliary components within the vehicle includes at least two of a multimedia system, a navigation device, a climate control, a cruise control, a power window subsystem, a power locks subsystem, a headlight control, a windshield wiper control, a traction or anti-slip control, a four-wheel drive control, a seat adjustment system, a powered side and rear view mirror system, and an interior lighting control.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the first command map is included in a plurality of command maps, and each command map included in the plurality of command maps provides a translation of input gestures into different commands that control the operation of a different auxiliary component.

10. A computer-implemented method for controlling the operation of a plurality of auxiliary components within a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving, via a first touch sensing surface, a first input gesture; translating, based on a mode map, the first input gesture into a selection of a first mode corresponding to a first auxiliary component included in the plurality of auxiliary components, wherein the mode map provides a translation of input gestures into different modes, and each mode corresponds to a different auxiliary component included in the plurality of auxiliary components; in response, identifying a first command map associated with the first mode and corresponding to the first auxiliary component, wherein the first command map provides a translation of input gestures into different commands that control the operation of the first auxiliary component; receiving, via a second touch sensing surface, a second input gesture; translating, in accordance with the first command map, the second input gesture into a first command that relates to the operation of the first auxiliary component; and causing the first command to be transmitted to the first auxiliary component.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , wherein the mode map indicates, for each different input gesture in a first set of input gestures, a different auxiliary component in the plurality of auxiliary components.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the first command map indicates, for each different input gesture in a second set of input gestures, a different command, and wherein the first command map provides a translation for a subset of commands included in a plurality of subsets of commands, each different subset of commands corresponding to a different input gesture in the first set of input gestures and including commands specific to a different auxiliary component in the plurality of auxiliary components.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , wherein the second input gesture is received before the first input gesture, and further comprising buffering the second input for a preset time interval.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , further comprising determining that the time between when first input gesture is received and when the second input gesture input is received falls within a configurable time interval.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , wherein both the first touch sensing surface and the second touch sensing surface are integrated into a steering wheel that resides within the vehicle.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , further comprising: receiving a third input gesture; interpreting a number of touch contacts associated with the third input gesture as a selection of a second mode corresponding to a second auxiliary component in the plurality of auxiliary components; and interpreting a duration associated with the third gesture or a directionality associated with the third gesture as a second command, wherein the second command is transmitted to the second auxiliary component.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of auxiliary components within the vehicle includes at least two of a multimedia system, a navigation device, a climate control, a cruise control, a power window subsystem, a power locks subsystem, a headlight control, a windshield wiper control, a traction or anti-slip control, a four-wheel drive control, a seat adjustment system, a powered side and rear view mirror system, and an interior lighting control.

18. A system for controlling the operation of a plurality of auxiliary components within a vehicle, comprising: a first touch sensing surface; a second touch sensing surface; and a computing device, comprising: a processor configured to: receive, via the first touch sensing surface, a first input gesture, translate, based on a mode map, the first input gesture into a selection of a first mode corresponding to a first auxiliary component included in the plurality of auxiliary components, wherein the mode map provides a translation of input gestures into different modes, and each mode corresponds to a different auxiliary component included in the plurality of auxiliary components, in response, identify a first command map associated with the first mode and corresponding to the first auxiliary component, wherein the first command map provides a translation of input gestures into different commands that control the operation of the first auxiliary component, receive, via the second touch sensing surface, a second input gesture, translate, in accordance with the first command map, the second input gesture into a first command that relates to the operation of the first auxiliary component, and cause the first command to be transmitted to the first auxiliary component.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the input received via the first touch sensing surface and the second touch sensing surface comprises a first gesture input that indicates the first auxiliary component and a second gesture input that indicates a subset of commands in the plurality of commands, respectively.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the processing unit is further configured to identify the first command within the subset of commands based on the first gesture input.

21. The system of claim 18 , wherein the first touch sensing surface is coupled to a steering wheel within the vehicle and positioned proximate to a first hand of a driver of the vehicle, and the second touch sensing surface is also coupled to the steering wheel and positioned proximate to a second hand of the driver of the vehicle.